Nigeria: Christians Denied Aid in Refugee Camps

Christians in Nigeria are facing trial upon trial. Not only were hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes due to terrorist group Boko Haram, but many have been denied sanctuary and aid in displacement camps.

The Christian Post reports that several displacement camps have communicated that food and other aid “is not for Christians.”

Christian persecution charity Open Doors is monitoring the situation in Nigeria. Bishop William Naga is one of the many refugees seeking aid. He recently told Open Doors, "The governor did his best when the Christians had to flee in 2014 and 2015. But when the care of the camps was handed over to other organizations, the discrimination started. They will give food to the refugees, but if you are a Christian they will not give you food. They will openly tell you that the relief is not for Christians."

Emily Fuentes, communications director for Open Doors, explained further: “Christians often get pushed to the back of the line. Because Muslims are the majority there, even non-extremist Muslims, some of their neighbors are typically going to get preferential treatment by those providing food and assistance because of their Muslim faith. Christians might be discriminated against and some of those cases have been reported. It's just preferential treatment because they are not the majority religion in that part of the country."

Nigeria ranks twelfth on Open Doors 2017 World Watch List of countries where Christian persecution is most severe.